Whereas Bell & Ross produces a reasonably large assortment of fashions, it’s the traditional square-shaped BR 03 assortment that’s most emblematic of the model’s distinct design language. Final yr, this well-liked silhouette acquired a big general that launched a slimmed down 41mm case, and for its newest launch of 2024, Bell & Ross has launched a two-tone model of the time-and-date mannequin from the gathering. Formally often called the Bell & Ross BR 03 White Metal & Gold, the brand new timepiece somewhat appropriately options an opaline white dial paired with stainless-steel and rose gold elements, and it presents a noticeably extra dressy tackle the model’s single most recognizable mannequin.
The TLDR on this launch is that the brand new Bell & Ross BR 03 White Metal & Gold (ref. BR03A-WH-STPG/SCA) is more-or-less the stainless-steel and 18k rose-gold model of the up to date BR 03 sequence that we first coated final yr. What this implies is that you just get a square-shaped stainless-steel case that measures 41mm in diameter, though it’s a quarter of a millimeter thinner than the stainless-steel fashions from the gathering at 9.4mm thick, and similar to all BR 03 watches, it includes a stable caseback with the gathering’s signature screws situated on both aspect on the 4 corners. Identical to the remainder of the fashions from the BR 03 Automated assortment, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective therapy sits above the dial, whereas water resistance is available in at 100 meters; nonetheless, on the brand new BR 03 White Metal & Gold, the bezel and winding crown are crafted from stable 18k rose gold.
The opaline white dial fitted to the brand new Bell & Ross BR 03 White Metal & Gold follows the identical design and structure as what could be discovered among the many different time-and-date fashions from the BR 03 assortment with giant Arabic numeral markers on the cardinal factors, sword-shaped fingers, and a round 4:30 date window. The opaline white end is created by making use of a matte silver layer onto the polished dial floor and dealing it with Levant stone and cream of tartar to create a refined texture and a milky white/silver hue that performs with the sunshine. To additional lean into its two-tone colorway, each the handset and utilized hour markers seem in rose gold, and the hour and minute fingers are stuffed with Tremendous-LumiNova inserts to supply entry to the time in low-light settings.
Powering the brand new Bell & Ross BR 03 White Metal & Gold is the model’s BR-CAL.302-1 automated motion, which presents a barely revised caliber quantity however is functionally similar to the BR-CAL.302 that may be discovered inside the remainder of the three-handed fashions from the present BR 03 assortment. Whereas the Bell & Ross BR-CAL.302-1 relies upon the core structure of the Sellita SW300 and runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz), it gives an extended energy reserve of 54 hours. Provided that BR-CAL.302-1 presents similar specs to the BR-CAL.302, I can solely think about that Bell & Ross has added the “-1” to the motion quantity as a result of it has a barely totally different top for the position of its fingers, which both may pertain to its decreased case thickness or the necessity to accommodate the utilized hour markers on the dial.
The 24mm lugs of the brand new Bell & Ross BR 03 White Metal & Gold are fitted with a two-piece strap constructed from brown calfskin leather-based that flares out in a cuff-like style to satisfy the perimeters of the lugs. The strap then tapers again right down to 22mm on the underside of the wrist, the place it connects to a chunky tang-style buckle that’s constructed from brushed and polished stainless-steel and signed with the model’s “BR” brand. The strap for the BR 03 White Metal & Gold presents the identical general design and development as the opposite leather-based straps that may be discovered all through the better BR 03 assortment, though it options white distinction stitching and is noticeably lighter in coloration with a hue that would greatest be described as tan or golden brown to enrich its opaline white dial and the nice and cozy tones of its rose gold elements.
When luxurious watches have stable gold elements, they’re virtually all the time accompanied by pretty important premiums, and the brand new Bell & Ross BR 03 White Metal & Gold (ref. BR03A-WH-STPG/SCA) has an official retail value of $6,900 USD, which makes it practically twice the worth of the entry-level stainless-steel fashions from the gathering. Provided that the updates to the newest BR 03 sequence had been meant to create a extra refined rendition of its signature mannequin, a two-tone model is the logical development for this well-liked lineup, and the brand new BR 03 White Metal & Gold presents a novel aesthetic distinction as a dressy expression of an inherently utilitarian design. For extra data on the Bell & Ross BR 03 White Metal & Gold, please go to the model’s web site.
